It is our sad duty to inform you about the passing away of Bro. Nico Coolen on August 24, 2018.

The text of the mourning card reads as follows:

"Congregation of the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

' Time of life to share with many, bread and breath;

He who does not care about self-preservation: he will live a hundredfold.'(Book of Proverbs)

In great gratitude for his life among us, and with pain in our hearts we have to say goodbye forever to

BROTHER NICO COOLEN FIC

Nicolaas Johannes Maria

He was born on September 27, 1938 in Veghel. On August 15, 1959, he made his first vows in our Congregation. Comforted by the Anointment of the Sick, he died on August 24, 2018 in the University Medical Center Maastricht.

Brother Nico was a man of cosiness, which is typical for the province of Brabant, where he was born. He had learned that from home. In 1951 he came to the FIC and in 1959 he received the name 'Walter'.

From 1965 he committed himself to fellow people in Chile, where they closed him in their hearts. In 1974 the bishop of Talca asked him to be ordained as a priest, also in connection with his work for catechesis in the diocesan area. His commitment to the Chileans was a blessing for them.

The General Chapter of 1994 chose him as a member of the General Council of the Congregation. In this position, Nico showed great commitment to his fellow brothers worldwide. After this he settled in De Beyart in 2001, where the Provincial Council appointed him pastor of the community of De Beyart.

His life consisted of service: by being near and attentive to people, he supported many. He was an enthusiastic publisher of the Good News. He received a lot of support from his dear family and others who were close to him.

In 2018 Nico indicated that he wanted to complete his pastoral deployment. On his 80th birthday he would celebrate his retirement. The Eternal One took Nico to Himself before. Because he did not care about self-preservation, Nico now finds "life in a hundredfold" with His heavenly Father.

We say goodbye to Nico on Thursday, August 30th in the Eucharistic celebration held at 14.30 in the chapel of De Beyart. Subsequently, he will be buried at our cemetery at the Anjoulaan in Maastricht.